Pineshade's Loss

Chapter 26

It is now the day Pinepaw has been waiting for. Pinepaw and Milkpaw are about to take their warrior assessments. Pinepaw, Milkpaw, Leafshadow, Volenose, and Boulderstar all leave camp together, but then separate for the hunting portion of the assessment. Pinepaw goes off on his own to find any sign of prey, but he knows that he is being closely watched. After opening his jaws and taking in a whiff of air, the dark gray tom catches the scent of toad. Pinepaw begins to slowly and quietly follow the scent, until he spots the toad sitting in a puddle.

Pinepaw crouches down low and begins to sneak closer to the toad, trying not to make a single sound. Then, once he is close enough, Pinepaw leaps for the frog, killing it in one quick bite.

"Great job Pinepaw," Pinepaw then hears Leafshadow meow.

"You have passed the hunting portion of the assessment," Boulderstar meows. "Now, I have to go check on Milkpaw and Volenose," the leader meows, heading in their direction. After Milkpaw was successfully able to catch a squirrel and passed the hunting portion, it was time for the fighting portion of the assessment. Each apprentice must defeat their mentors in battle to pass.

"You will begin once I tell you to," Boulderstar explains. "Remember to keep your claws sheathed, we don't want any injuries," he meows. "Now, begin!"

Pinepaw watches as Leafshadow immediately leaps for him. However, Pinepaw, expecting the attack, dodges her just in time. The dark brown she-cat hits the ground with a soft thump, but quickly gets back up to her paws.

Pinepaw takes this opportunity to leap for his mentor, successfully landing on her back. He swipes his paws along her back, pretending to scratch her. The smaller cat tries to throw the dark gray tom off her back, but is unsuccessfully as Pinepaw is too heavy for her. Leafshadow's legs then collapse beneath her, which sends both cats tumbling to the ground.

"Great job, Pinepaw! You have passed your warrior assessment!" Boulderstar meows proudly. Pinepaw immediately turns his head to check up on Milkpaw. She is still battling Volenose, but it seems like she is winning.

"Go Milkpaw!" Pinepaw cheers. Milkpaw, motivated by her mate, successfully pins Volenose to the ground and pretends to scratch his chest and belly, giving her the victory.

"Good job, Milkpaw! You have passed your warrior assessment," Boulderstar meows. Pinepaw and Milkpaw then exchange excited glances.

"We finally did it, Pinepaw!" Milkpaw cheers.

"Let's head back to camp," Boulderstar meows and the five cats pad back to ShadowClan's camp together.

Once they make it back, they are instantly greeted by Frogpaw.

"Did you pass?!" Frogpaw asks the two apprentices excitedly.

"You'll see," Pinepaw responds, watching as Boulderstar leaps onto the highbranch.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the high branch for a meeting!" Boulderstar calls out. The clan then gathers beneath the high branch.

"These two apprentices, after many toiling moons, have passed their warrior assessments and are now ready to become full warriors of ShadowClan," Boulderstar announces. Pinepaw twitches with excitement, unable to believe this moment is finally happening.

"Pinepaw, please come forward," Boulderstar says. Then, Pinepaw steps forward as he is told.

"I, Boulderstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn," Boulderstar meows. He then looks down Pinepaw.

"Pinepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He asks.

"I do," Pinepaw promises.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Pinepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Pineshade. StarClan honors your kindness and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan," Boulderstar meows.

The clan begins to cheer his new warrior name. "Pineshade! Pineshade!" They cheer.

It finally happened. I'm no longer Pinepaw. I'm Pineshade. Pineshade thinks. 

"Now, Milkpaw, please come forward," Boulderstar says. Then, Milkpaw steps forward as she is told.

"I, Boulderstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn," Boulderstar meows. He then looks down Milkpaw.

"Milkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He asks.

"I do," She promises.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Milkpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Milktail. StarClan honors your sweetness and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan," Boulderstar meows.

The clan begins to cheer her new warrior name. "Milktail! Milktail!" They cheer.

"The Clan meeting is now dismissed," Boulderstar meows, leaping down from the highbranch.

Pineshade and Milktail quickly rush over to each other. They touch noses and then rub cheeks.

"Thank you so much for staying behind with me for so long. No other cat would do that for me," Milktail purrs.

"I didn't want to become a warrior without you," Pineshade meows. Then, the two newly named warriors are surrounded by family and friends, who all take turns to congratulate them.

Here's to a new stage of our lives. Pineshade thinks.